Photographer's Note

This photograph is taken in Nishiarai Daishi in Nishi-Arai, Adachi-ku, Tokyo. This temple is a temple of the Buzan Sect of Shingon Buddhism. As Kūkai(Kōbō Daishi) is the Kanto pilgrimage, it is supposed that it starts to have built this temple in A.D. 826. It is counted by one of three Kanto Daishi as well Kawasaki Daishi, Kampuku-ji, and it is crowded with the visitor of the first visit to a temple in the annual New Year. Many worshippers/visitors are coming here by being the New Year on that day, and the souvenir shop and the roadside stand were presenting activity to the both sides of the approach which leads in Hondo(Main Hall). In Hondo, the chief priests wished charm against misfortunes and better luck prayer in front of many believers, and sutra recitation was performed. Moreover, there was a big hanging bell in one corner of the precincts of a temple, and the visitor put prayer in order and had struck the bell.

(p.s.)
1. The priests who recite sutras: workshops
2. The worshippers/visitors of the precincts in a temple: workshops
3. About Buddhism
There are two flows in Buddhism greatly now. One is Theravada Buddhism that only the priest who forsook the world and got severe thorough training realizes spiritual enlightenment, and is saved. It has spread in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Buma etc. Another is Mahāyāna Buddhism which hopes to relieve not only an ordination-into-priesthood person but the others and does self-trains. This has spread in Bangladesh, Vietnam, China, Tibet, South Korea, and Japan.

Greetings.
Beautiful moment ...
Interesting and good article about the temple and the event ...
Good time recording and contrast nicely shown gentleman do in the ring, a beautiful tradition.
Good work with the beautiful photographs in the workshop.
All the best for the weekend, good luck.
Paja.

Hello Mikio,
This is a very well composed photo with good balance between the man and the big bell in opposite corners. The rope connects them nicely and the red ribbon wrapped around the rope makes it very nice and eye-catching. The two workshop photos are also very interesting and attractive.
Kind regards,
Gert

Hi Mikio,a very original capture,like a secret hidden on this temple that you caught very very well despite the distance with a great zoom,a very interesting work from there completed by the 2 super WS,i like it! Have a nice Sunday and thanks,Luciano

Hi Mikio
I like the moment, Red is the eye catcher indeed! In this action shot, right timing is vital to produce the drama apart from other critical ingredients reqd such as ambient and lighting conditions. The prayer is in full momentum striking the bell full of energy with excellent diffuse background and this forces the subject areas forward emphasizing details of main interests. A different shot from the usual showing the hint of movement very well. Well done, tfs
Best regards

Beautifully composed, Mikio, and a nice moment collected as the man rang the big bell.
Yellow leaves gave a fine backdrop to the wooden frame, and the red rope added a vivid extra color.
Have a nice new week,
Ike

Hello Mikio,
You have uploaded three images each of which could be a main entry all by itself. In this main image, I like the balance of the composition and the use of selective focus. I like the high POV of Additional Photo #2 and love the flames in Additional Photo #1.
Regards,
MT

Hi Mikio,
I like this photo with excellently balanced composition. The man is in excellent light, fully concentrated to his action without noticing your camera. Superb action snapshot.
Well done.
Wish you a very nice rest of the week.
Greetings,
Miro